Dreams Take Flight??

[pl'smama]

Anyone here involved in the day trip to Magic Kingdom for the ill children? I believe it is today ( Wednesday), but I just thought it would be nice to get the perspective of someone who was personally involved. Anyone care to share??

Thanks, Suz

 

[Belle1997]

well about 18 years ago my step son went for a day. He had a great time and the person incharge of lookng after him for the day was a US Sailor. I think he was more excited to come home with a US Sailor hat.

 

[SandraC]

dd13 was supposed to go today, but she offered the trip to another sick kid because we already went to WDW in March.

Also, she isn't doing so well lately and it would have been awful for her to get sick in Florida. In March she ended up in the MK first aid....which I call Mickey Mouse's Hospital because it's more like an ER than a first aid clinic. She hasn't been well since.

I took her to doctor this morning and she needs more meds. We were up all last night. It's been a stressful month.

We did do the Santa Flight in December, that was cool.

I'm trying to arrange my own "wish" for Emily. She is very interested in film maker and writing and would like to meet a film maker like Owen Wilson or M. Night Shamalan. She also wants to go to Greece, so I've been looking into that too.

Thanks. Blessings, Sandra

 

[dancin Disney style]

Last year we were involved with the arrangements for the pre-flight festivities at the AC hanger. We did not participate in the trip itself.

My oldest DD16 was one of the performers. It was the first time that I had attended. We had to arrive at about 3:30AM. I don't know how the kids that go on the trip make it through the day because they also start arriving at around 3:30 -4AM. It was an incredible morning for all of us, I will never, ever forget it. I have to say for me the best part was watching the kids board the planes. We were inside the hanger and they opened up the big doors to reveal 2 airplanes. They fired off confetti and streamers as the doors opened. The kids began to make their way towards the planes and begin boarding with the chaperones. As we watched I started to think about what an incredible experience awaited the kids. It brought tears to my eyes, as it does now thinking about it again.

I have to say that the proudest moment I have ever had of my DD was as we started to drive home and she turned to me and said "That was so worth it". My sometimes selfish teenager finally got it.

 

[pl'smama]

dd13 was supposed to go today, but she offered the trip to another sick kid because we already went to WDW in March.

Also, she isn't doing so well lately and it would have been awful for her to get sick in Florida. In March she ended up in the MK first aid....which I call Mickey Mouse's Hospital because it's more like an ER than a first aid clinic. She hasn't been well since.

I took her to doctor this morning and she needs more meds. We were up all last night. It's been a stressful month.

We did do the Santa Flight in December, that was cool.

I'm trying to arrange my own "wish" for Emily. She is very interested in film maker and writing and would like to meet a film maker like Owen Wilson or M. Night Shamalan. She also wants to go to Greece, so I've been looking into that too.

Thanks. Blessings, Sandra

Wow, your DD Emily sounds like a wonderful young lady Sandra. I hope my DD Emily, age 4, can grow to be as selfless and caring a person. You must be so proud of her.

I will say a special prayer that she is feeling better soon. God bless and thank you for sharing with us.

Suz

 

[pl'smama]

Last year we were involved with the arrangements for the pre-flight festivities at the AC hanger. We did not participate in the trip itself.

My oldest DD16 was one of the performers. It was the first time that I had attended. We had to arrive at about 3:30AM. I don't know how the kids that go on the trip make it through the day because they also start arriving at around 3:30 -4AM. It was an incredible morning for all of us, I will never, ever forget it. I have to say for me the best part was watching the kids board the planes. We were inside the hanger and they opened up the big doors to reveal 2 airplanes. They fired off confetti and streamers as the doors opened. The kids began to make their way towards the planes and begin boarding with the chaperones. As we watched I started to think about what an incredible experience awaited the kids. It brought tears to my eyes, as it does now thinking about it again.

I have to say that the proudest moment I have ever had of my DD was as we started to drive home and she turned to me and said "That was so worth it". My sometimes selfish teenager finally got it.

Your DD sounds like a special young lady. What kind of performance did she participate in? It must have been a life changing experience for your both.

GOd bless, Suz

 

[dancin Disney style]

Your DD sounds like a special young lady. What kind of performance did she participate in? It must have been a life changing experience for your both.

GOd bless, Suz

My DD is a dancer. She has danced since she was 4 at a competitive level. She just "retired" last summer. I hope she will continue to choreograph and teach. Through dance we have had the privledge to participate in many functions that are fundraiser/benefits. Dreams Take Flight is by far the most amazing. Maybe because we have been to WDW so we know what kind of day the kids were going to have.

My DD has also danced at WDW. Her group auditioned for Magical Music Days and were selected in 2005. They chose to be on the stage at DTD. We watched them perform as the sun set behind them.

 

[surfer_ed]

Hi gang,

I had the honor of being a Group Leader for this trip again this year and today I am back at work sore and tired but most of all humbled by the experience. I left the house at 3:30 am Wednesday morning and crawled into bed about 4:00 this morning.

There are wonderful causes that need lots of help and support but what I truly love about this is it is making a difference…even if it is just one day.

This is my second year going on the trip and 3rd year as a volunteer for the organization. I originally got involved because I have always been a volunteer in some form or another and my childhood best friend is an Air Canada Employee. He thought that with my knowledge and love of Disney that I would be passionate about the cause.

This year I had a group from Sick Kid’s, last year it was a group of kids who are in foster care. Both experiences were different based on the needs of the kids.

My group was lucky enough to be riding Buzz Light-year when the Dream Squad came by and gave everyone in the line some of those nice Dream Mickey Ears!!!

It is hard for me to get into the emotional experience, so soon after the flight. Both this year and last I felt so thrilled at being able to make just 1 day better for these children, but I am left pretty raw emotionally for a few days after the flight.

Last year one of my kids, about ½ through the day, told me that he doesn’t know who his dad is but hoped that if he finds him someday that he would be allot like me. If I had not been pushing a wheelchair when he said that, I think I would have fallen flat on my face. I went home after the flight, hugged my daughter and cried myself to sleep.

This year, my group of kids all had people at home who loved and cared for them so the day was very much about being away from doctors and hospitals and the terrible aspects of their illness. They just wanted to be kids in the park for the day. I tried hard not to think how I could manage as a parent if my children where put in the situation that these kids have to face.

Sandra, my heart goes out to you and your daughter. I truly think she is special to give up the trip to another child and I can’t imagine the fight she must have to face with her illness. All I can say is that all the Group Leaders and that I personally did my best to make sure that the child who went in her place had an amazing day.

I know we on the board are often unhappy with AC but the employees who do this are amazing. They raise an incredible amount of money and the show they pull of leaves me speechless. The kids truly are the centre of attention all day, all aspects of this charity are focused on this one thing…making this one day great.

Of course I have been to the park many times but the trip with these kids is so different than vacation with my children. The pressure to make this 1 day fabulous is sometimes overwhelming. But the hardest part is saying good-bye to the group at the end of the night and sending them back to reality.

 

[pl'smama]

Hi gang,

I had the honor of being a Group Leader for this trip again this year and today I am back at work sore and tired but most of all humbled by the experience. I left the house at 3:30 am Wednesday morning and crawled into bed about 4:00 this morning.

There are wonderful causes that need lots of help and support but what I truly love about this is it is making a difference…even if it is just one day.

This is my second year going on the trip and 3rd year as a volunteer for the organization. I originally got involved because I have always been a volunteer in some form or another and my childhood best friend is an Air Canada Employee. He thought that with my knowledge and love of Disney that I would be passionate about the cause.

This year I had a group from Sick Kid’s, last year it was a group of kids who are in foster care. Both experiences were different based on the needs of the kids.

My group was lucky enough to be riding Buzz Light-year when the Dream Squad came by and gave everyone in the line some of those nice Dream Mickey Ears!!!

It is hard for me to get into the emotional experience, so soon after the flight. Both this year and last I felt so thrilled at being able to make just 1 day better for these children, but I am left pretty raw emotionally for a few days after the flight.

Last year one of my kids, about ½ through the day, told me that he doesn’t know who his dad is but hoped that if he finds him someday that he would be allot like me. If I had not been pushing a wheelchair when he said that, I think I would have fallen flat on my face. I went home after the flight, hugged my daughter and cried myself to sleep.

This year, my group of kids all had people at home who loved and cared for them so the day was very much about being away from doctors and hospitals and the terrible aspects of their illness. They just wanted to be kids in the park for the day. I tried hard not to think how I could manage as a parent if my children where put in the situation that these kids have to face.

Sandra, my heart goes out to you and your daughter. I truly think she is special to give up the trip to another child and I can’t imagine the fight she must have to face with her illness. All I can say is that all the Group Leaders and that I personally did my best to make sure that the child who went in her place had an amazing day.

I know we on the board are often unhappy with AC but the employees who do this are amazing. They raise an incredible amount of money and the show they pull of leaves me speechless. The kids truly are the centre of attention all day, all aspects of this charity are focused on this one thing…making this one day great.

Of course I have been to the park many times but the trip with these kids is so different than vacation with my children. The pressure to make this 1 day fabulous is sometimes overwhelming. But the hardest part is saying good-bye to the group at the end of the night and sending them back to reality.

Thank you so much for sharing Sufer Ed. Your post was wonderful and inspiring and brought several tears to my eyes. You have truly made a difference in so many lives and that is a wonderful thing to pass on to your children. Your interesting note was exactly what I had hoped to get when I started this post, so again, thank you. Perhaps, when you have recovered a bit, you can share some highlights of the day with us. Take your time and enjoy your family.

Thank you, Suz

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thank you so much for sharing Sufer Ed. Your post was wonderful and inspiring and brought several tears to my eyes. You have truly made a difference in so many lives and that is a wonderful thing to pass on to your children. Your interesting note was exactly what I had hoped to get when I started this post, so again, thank you. Perhaps, when you have recovered a bit, you can share some highlights of the day with us. Take your time and enjoy your family.

Thank you, Suz

I second that!!!

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Ed, I am interested in volunteering with Dreams Take Flight. Do I just show up at the meeting on June 6? I sent a note to Mary Wolf but have not received a reply.